Curfew (Shawn Christensen, 2012) 4/18

Narrative:

What is is with dance sequences in short films?

The film centres around a man named Richie and how the life that he currently lives is seemingly worthless and without hope. The choice to set the film in a city suggests that Christensen feels that people are more likely to feel isolated and depressed when they live in a crowded urban metropolis. Equally, we don’t learn about Richie’s past, aside from the fact that he used to draw flipbooks. This is an interesting decision from Christensen, as it means that the audience are plunged into the action from the offset. Since the first scene is of Richie trying to end his own life, the audience are expected to presume that the character has not had a nice upbringing nor has any support networks.

This is subverted by Christensen when he gets a call from his sister, asking him to look after her daughter. When Richie arrives at his sister’s apartment, her wealth is amplified. Christensens’s use of the film form changes to reflect this.

This short film is the most obvious depiction of a character having an arc. The daughter, Sophia, is initially reluctant to talk to her Uncle because she hasn’t seen him in years. Her character then begins to communicate with her Uncle more, as the evening goes on, until, eventually, she hugs him. This is important because it suggests that Richie is actually a nice man, who just needs to have someone to talk to. Christensen uses one character to imply something about the other.

Film Form:

Christensen uses mise – en – scene, in the form of costumes, to amplify the wealth divide that is present between Richie and Sophia. Sophia is shown to wear luxurious pink hats and fur coats; whereas, Richie dons dirty clothes, seemingly haphazardly – styled. This highlights how the two characters have different priorities. Interestingly, Christensen also shows the naivety of childhood innocence, where Sophia’s only priority is dressing nicely. The juxtaposition between this and the impoverished life that Richie lives, makes you feel more sympathy for him.

Christensen also creates a desired mood in the editing process. Initially there are some fast and sharp cuts, whilst Richie is attempting to kill himself. However, Christensen makes sure that the audience never really get a clearly picture of Richie attempting to kill himself. The choice to edit around this direct shot, ensures that the audience feel more uneasy. This is because they are left to imagine the horrors that Richie is committing.

Meaning:

There is a clear message that Christensen conveys through the character of Richie. He is highlighting the struggle that many men have with their mental health and the extremes to which depression can lead you to. Whilst this is important to show, Christensen also implies that meaningful connections with other human are very important when trying to get through any sort of hardship. Furthermore, this is most  blatantly shown when it is Sophia that eventually saves Richie from killing himself at the end of the film.

Christensen also explores how wealth is not indicative of happiness. Initially, we only see a few shots of Sophia’s mother, in her large and opulently – decorated apartment. The audience presume that the woman is living a nice life. However, Christensen subverts this when it is revealed at the end of the film that the woman has a black eye and a restraining order. As such, Christensen is suggesting that we all face trials and tribulations throughout our lives. The relationship that the three characters rekindle at the end of the film, is a hopeful message that by sharing our difficulties, they become much easier to cope with.